178 



HOCKINGS' GARDEN MANUAL. 



board, at the distance of at least two yards apart, and 

 in such a position that they cannot come under the 

 direct influence of the fire, taking care to distribute 

 each ounce over one or two square feet of surface. 

 Afterwards the temperature may be raised from 86° to 

 89° Fahrenheit, gradually, moving the eggs from time 

 to time, until, having become whiter, they will display 

 about the seventh day the first indications of vitality, 

 which will be still plainer on the eighth and following 

 days. If the operations have been properly conducted, 

 and the eggs selected in perfect condition, the hatching 

 will generally be completed by the ninth day ; but it is 

 usual to leave undisturbed those which may happen to 

 remain unhatched until the twelfth day, after which 

 tbey are thrown away to avoid too great a difference 

 in the ages of the worms, and also because there is 

 considerable doubt whether such eggs may not be 

 diseased or imperfect. 



" On the first symptoms of the hatching having 

 commenced, leaves must be carefully placed on the 

 eggs, selecting for the purpose the tenderest that can be 

 found ; and care must be taken to separate the worms 

 of the first day's birth from those of the second, and so 

 on with the rest, in order that their growth may be 

 afterwards regulated by placing the youngest nearest 

 to the fire, and increasing the distance according to the 

 age of the worms." 



In the Brisbane district the worm appears early in 

 September, when the mulberry trees are getting into 

 full leaf, and as the temperature is naturally all that is 

 required in the daytime, it is probable that a well closed 

 building would provide the requisite warmth during 

 the night. 



The life of the silkworm is divided into five stages, 

 which are marked by four seasons of partial torpor or 

 sleep, after each of which the skin is cast off. The 

 first stage lasts six or eight days from the hatching, 



